I’m sitting here at AT&T Park getting ready for Game 1 of the World Series. I’m reading that Troy Smith will start in London for the Niners instead of David Carr. The 49ers are in a tough spot, had a real tough decision between Carr who is no good and Smith whom they don’t know about — and may or may not be good.

I don’t minimize the Niners’ dilemma. But I want to add this — if the 49ers lose they cannot use Smith as an excuse. Their roster is their business and their problem. And they’ve managed to lose a bunch of games before they had to call on Smith.